President's Message

At the risk of stating the obvious, the state of the economy has business in a spin. Government is making plans for massive cuts and families are taking a tight hold of pocketbooks.

Venerable financial institutions are fumbling and some have outright failed. Across the country, the state and across our county, people are looking for hard answers from elected officials and are taking a hard look at candidates.

Right before the election, Hunter Bishop wrote on his blog (hunterbishop.com) that unions, business and other non-traditional partners were aligning to support candidates “who would overturn the past two years of a trend toward slow-growth and lifestyle legislation from county government.”

In a pre-primary wrap-up, Kevin Dayton of The Honolulu Advertiser characterized our Council: “For the past two years, the Big Island County Council has been an unpredictable bunch, embracing what might be called a progressive agenda…”

Bishop’s and Dayton’s characterization of the current Council are an accurate reflection. Some might argue that slow growth and lifestyle legislation were good for our county. I would say its better not to argue what is gone before, but rather focus our attention on the situation we face now.

Our next Council—and state Legislature—need to take actions that help businesses generate more revenues. If not, government will be hobbled, to say nothing of those who are disadvantaged and rely on the kokua of our community and on government programs to help them stay afloat.

The primary election showed signs of shift. Three-term Councilman Bob Jacobson, District 6, fell to challenger Guy Enriques, who netted more than 50 percent of the vote, which gives him an outright win. Councilwoman Emily Naeole, District 5, faces a serious challenge in the general election from Gary Safarik, who lost the seat to Naeole in 2006.

In the Mayor’s race, Chamber-endorsed Billy Kenoi will face off against Angel Pilago, who has been a key Councilmember pressing that progressive agenda. Despite being untried in elected office, Kenoi’s strong showing in the primary demonstrates that his “can do” message resonates with island voters.

It is important for Council to move away from fringe issues, such as the marijuana law enforcement initiative that will be on our November ballot, and putting blocks on science by trying to halt biotechnology research; banning plastic bags without considering the impact on small business; laws that seek us to change our lifestyles, but cannot be enforced and therefore are hollow; passing community development plans that require immediate amendment; failing to address our growing trash issue in favor of “the next great plan”….and so on.

We need to find ways to answer legitimate questions about the 30-meter telescope, and move aside those that are using the issue for their own ends. The astronomy industry is a gift from the heavens—a gift to our economy and a gift to our children. Of course do it right. But do it, for kids’ sake.

We need leadership, in government and in the business community that will help us weather this downturn. We need entrepreneurs who can take the pig’s ear and make that silk purse.

Cheers,

Barbara A. Hastings